Depending on which gardening circles you hang with, the concept of urine in the garden may already have surfaced as a discussion topic. So what’s the deal? Should you seriously pee on your peas, tinkle on your tomatoes, and take a leak on your lettuce?
Well, not on them, exactly, but if you aren’t using your urine in your garden and on your compost pile, you are, pardon my French, pissing away a free, valuable resource and missing out an easy way to help close the gaping hole in your household nutrient cycle. Using urine in the garden can help you cut your water use (less flushing) while also cleaning up the environment downstream (no water-polluting fertilizer runoff).
Your #1 Choice For Fertilizer
Recent scientific studies have shown urine is a safe and very effective fertilizer for cabbage, beets, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and pretty much anything else you want to grow. Urine boasts a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) ratio of 10:1:4, plus more modest amounts of the trace elements plants need to thrive. ……….………
How To Use Your Very Own Garden Gold (Free Deliveries Daily!)
Depending on your personal plumbing arrangement (guys have the edge here) and the privacy of your garden, you may be tempted to deliver the product to the soil directly. But in most cases, the concentration of nutrients could be too great, which can damage soil microorganisms and burn plants. Direct application is fine, in moderation, for compost piles (especially if you have loads of dry brown, high-carbon materials like fallen leaves, straw, or shredded paper that are crying out for nitrogen) and for straw bales being conditioned for use as planters.………….
Apply diluted urine to the soil only when the soil itself is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. At that temp, the soil microbes will be active and ready to soak up the nitrogen and other nutrients. In colder weather, you can either go back to flushing your urine down the toilet or stockpile your liquid gold in tightly closed containers (if you have the space and the inclination)……….
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Taking It Up A Notch
In Europe, where a lot of research is focusing on closing the nutrient cycle and decreasing environmental costs, you can purchase a standard-looking toilet that has a urine diversion bowl, which makes the entire collection process hands-off. In some areas, you can even contract with a service to come and empty the tank periodically and deliver your accumulated urine to an appreciative farmer. While less of that is going on in the U.S., urine diversion toilets are available through specialty plumbing supply houses if you want to make the investment………….
Related Reading You May Enjoy:
- 4 Secrets To Give Your Organic Garden A Mighty Boost
- Permaculture – How To Do Gardening Nature’s Way
- 4 Must Have Ingredients For The Perfect Compost Mix
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Article source: Rodales Organic Life
Image source: Southern Funny